Professional Documents
Culture Documents
( EWaste )
Submitted By
Navodit Kumar
Kharwal
0591672007
V Sem
INTRODUCTION
Industrial revolution followed by the advances in information technology during the
last century has radically changed people's lifestyle. Although this development has
helped the human race, mismanagement has led to new problems of contamination
and pollution. The technical prowess acquired during the last century has posed a
new challenge in the management of wastes. For example, personal computers
(PCs) contain certain components, which are highly toxic, such as chlorinated and
brominated substances, toxic gases, toxic metals, biologically active materials,
acids, plastics and plastic additives. The hazardous content of these materials pose
an environmental and health threat. Thus proper management is necessary while
disposing or recycling e wastes.
These days computer has become most common and widely used gadget in all kinds
of activities ranging from schools, residences, offices to manufacturing industries. Etoxic components in computers could be summarized as circuit boards containing
heavy metals like lead & cadmium; batteries containing cadmium; cathode ray
tubes with lead oxide & barium; brominated flame retardants used on printed circuit
boards, cables and plastic casing; poly vinyl chloride (PVC) coated copper cables and
plastic computer casings that release highly toxic dioxins & furans when burnt to
recover valuable metals; mercury switches; mercury in flat screens; poly chlorinated
biphenyl's (PCB's) present in older capacitors; transformers; etc. Basel Action
Network (BAN) estimates that the 500 million computers in the world contain 2.87
billion kgs of plastics, 716.7 million kgs of lead and 286,700 kgs of mercury. The
average 14-inch monitor uses a tube that contains an estimated 2.5 to 4 kgs of lead.
The lead can seep into the ground water from landfills thereby contaminating it. If
the tube is crushed and burned, it emits toxic fumes into the air.
What is e-waste?
Electronic Waste or e-waste is the term used to describe old, end-of-life
electronic appliances such as computers,laptops, TVs, DVD players, mobile phones,
mp3 players etc. which have been disposed of by their original users. While there is
no generally accepted definition of e-waste, in most cases, e-waste comprises of
relatively expensive and essentially durable products used for data processing,
telecommunications or entertainment in private households and businesses.
Public perception of e-waste is often restricted to a narrower sense, comprising
mainly of end-of-life information- & telecommunication equipment and consumer
environmental hazards. Mercury will leach when certain electronic devices, such as
circuit breakers are destroyed. The same is true for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
from condensers. When brominated flame retardant plastic or cadmium containing
plastics are landfilled, both polybrominated dlphenyl ethers (PBDE) and cadmium
may leach into the soil and groundwater. It has been found that significant amounts
of lead ion are dissolved from broken lead containing glass, such as the cone glass
of cathode ray tubes, gets mixed with acid waters and are a common occurrence in
landfills.
Not only does the leaching of mercury poses specific problems, the vaporization of
metallic mercury and dimethylene mercury, both part of Waste Electrical and
Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is also of concern. In addition, uncontrolled fires may
arise at landfills and this could be a frequent occurrence in many countries. When
exposed to fire, metals and other chemical substances, such as the extremely toxic
dioxins and furans (TCDD tetrachloro dibenzo-dioxin, PCDDs-polychlorinated dibenzo
dioxins. PBDDs-polybrominated dibenzo-dioxin and PCDFs poly chlorinated dibenzo
furans) from halogenated flame retardant products and PCB containing condensers
can be emitted. The most dangerous form of burning e-waste is the open-air burning
of plastics in order to recover copper and other metals. The toxic fall-out from open
air burning affects both the local environment and broader global air currents,
depositing highly toxic by products in many places throughout the world.
Table I summarizes the health effects of certain constituents in e-wastes. If these
electronic items are discarded with other household garbage, the toxics pose a
threat to both health and vital components of the ecosystem. In view of the illeffects of hazardous wastes to both environment and health, several countries
exhorted the need for a global agreement to address the problems and challenges
posed by hazardous waste. Also, in the late 1980s, a tightening of environmental
regulations in industrialized countries led to a dramatic rise in the cost of hazardous
waste disposal. Searching for cheaper ways to get rid of the wastes, "toxic traders"
began shipping hazardous waste to developing countries. International outrage
following these irresponsible activities led to the drafting and adoption of strategic
plans and regulations at the Basel Convention. The Convention secretariat, in
Geneva, Switzerland, facilitates and implementation of the Convention and related
agreements. It also provides assistance and guidelines on legal and technical issues,
gathers statistical data, and conducts training on the proper management of
hazardous waste.
E-Waste Generators
Manufacturers
Manufacturers who have manufacturing facilities and generate production waste, as
well as importers or brand owners of electronic and electrical products. They are a
key stakeholder, especially in the context of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
which is the new paradigm in waste management. The OECD defines EPR as an
environmental policy approach in which a producers responsibility for a product is
extended to the post consumer stage of the products life cycle, including its final
E-Waste Statistics
The first comprehensive study to estimate the annual generation of e-waste in India
and answer the questions above is being undertaken up by the National WEEE
Taskforce. So far the preliminary estimates suggest that total WEEE generation in
India is approximately 1,46,000 tonnes per year. The top states in order of highest
contribution to WEEE include Maharastra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar
Pradesh,West Bengal, Delhi, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab.
Thecity wise ranking of largest WEEE generators is Mumbai, Delhi,Bangalore,
Chennai, Kolkatta, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Pune, Surat andNagpur.
An estimated 30,000 computers become obsolete every year from the ITindustry in
Bangalore alone. The reason - an extremely high obsolescence rate of 30% per year.
Almost 50% of the PC's sold in India are products from the secondarymarket and
are re-assembled on old components. The remaining market share is covered by
multinational manufacturers (30%) and Indian brands (22%) [Source: annual report
2003, MAIT]
Three categories of WEEE account for almost 90% of the generation:
Large Household appliances:42.1%
Information and Communications Technology equipment:33.9%
Consumer Electronics:13.7%
MANAGEMENT OF E-WASTES
It is estimated that 75% of electronic items are stored due to uncertainty of how to
manage it. These electronic junks lie unattended in houses, offices, warehouses etc.
and normally mixed with household wastes, which are finally disposed off at
landfills. This necessitates implementable management measures.
In industries management of e-waste should begin at the point of generation. This
can be done by waste minimization techniques and by sustainable product design.
Waste minimization in industries involves adopting:
inventory management,
production-process modification,
volume reduction,
recovery and reuse.
Inventory management
Proper control over the materials used in the manufacturing process is an important
way to reduce waste generation (Freeman, 1989). By reducing both the quantity of
hazardous materials used in the process and the amount of excess raw materials in
stock, the quantity of waste generated can be reduced. This can be done in two
ways i.e. establishing material-purchase review and control procedures and
inventory tracking system.
Developing review procedures for all material purchased is the first step in
establishing an inventory management program. Procedures should require that all
materials be approved prior to purchase. In the approval process all production
materials are evaluated to examine if they contain hazardous constituents and
whether alternative non-hazardous materials are available.
Another inventory management procedure for waste reduction is to ensure that only
the needed quantity of a material is ordered. This will require the establishment of a
strict inventory tracking system. Purchase procedures must be implemented which
ensure that materials are ordered only on an as-needed basis and that only the
amount needed for a specific period of time is ordered.
Production-process modification
Changes can be made in the production process, which will reduce waste
generation. This reduction can be accomplished by changing the materials used to
make the product or by the more efficient use of input materials in the production
process or both. Potential waste minimization techniques can be broken down into
three categories:
i) Improved operating and maintenance procedures,
ii) Material change and
iii)Process-equipment modification.
Improvements in the operation and maintenance of process equipment can result in
significant waste reduction. This can be accomplished by reviewing current
operational procedures or lack of procedures and examination of the production
process for ways to improve its efficiency. Instituting standard operation procedures
can optimise the use of raw materials in the production process and reduce the
potential for materials to be lost through leaks and spills. A strict maintenance
program, which stresses corrective maintenance, can reduce waste generation
caused by equipment failure. An employee-training program is a key element of any
waste reduction program. Training should include correct operating and handling
procedures, proper equipment use, recommended maintenance and inspection
schedules, correct process control specifications and proper management of waste
materials.
Hazardous materials used in either a product formulation or a production process
may be replaced with a less hazardous or non-hazardous material. This is a very
widely used technique and is applicable to most manufacturing processes.
Implementation of this waste reduction technique may require only some minor
process adjustments or it may require extensive new process equipment. For
example, a circuit board manufacturer can replace solvent-based product with
water-based flux and simultaneously replace solventvapor degreaser with detergent
parts washer.
Installing more efficient process equipment or modifying existing equipment to take
advantage of better production techniques can significantly reduce waste
generation. New or updated equipment can use process materials more efficiently
producing less waste. Additionally such efficiency reduces the number of rejected or
material use are reflected in some new computer designs that are flatter,
lighter and more integrated. Other companies propose centralized networks
similar to the telephone system.
Use of renewable materials and energy: Bio-based plastics are plastics
made with plant-based chemicals or plant-produced polymers rather than
from petro chemicals. Bio-based toners, glues and inks are used more
frequently. Solar computers also exist but they are currently very expensive.
Use of non-renewable materials that are safer: Because many of the
materials used are non-renewable, designers could ensure the product is built
for re-use, repair and/or upgradeability. Some computer manufacturers such
as Dell and Gateway lease out their products thereby ensuring they get them
back to further upgrade and lease out again.
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
Considering the severity of the problem, it is imperative that certain management
options be adopted to handle the bulk e-wastes. Following are some of the
management options suggested for the government, industries and the public.
Responsibilities of the Government
(i) Governments should set up regulatory agencies in each district, which are vested
with the responsibility of co-ordinating and consolidating the regulatory functions of
the various government authorities regarding hazardous substances.
(ii) Governments should be responsible for providing an adequate system of laws,
controls and administrative procedures for hazardous waste management (Third
World Network. 1991). Existing laws concerning e-waste disposal be reviewed and
revamped. A comprehensive law that provides e-waste regulation and management
and proper disposal of hazardous wastes is required. Such a law should empower
the agency to control, supervise and regulate the relevant activities of government
departments.
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(iii) Governments must encourage research into the development and standard of
hazardous waste management, environmental monitoring and the regulation of
hazardous waste-disposal.
(iv) Governments should enforce strict regulations against dumping e-waste in the
country by outsiders. Where the laws are flouted, stringent penalties must be
imposed. In particular, custodial sentences should be preferred to paltry fines, which
these outsiders / foreign nationals can pay.
(v) Governments should enforce strict regulations and heavy fines levied on
industries, which do not practice waste prevention and recovery in the production
facilities.
(vi) Polluter pays principle and extended producer responsibility should be adopted.
(vii) Governments should encourage and support NGOs and other organizations to
involve actively in solving the nation's e-waste problems.
(viii) Uncontrolled dumping is an unsatisfactory method for disposal of hazardous
waste and should be phased out.
(viii) Governments should explore opportunities to partner with manufacturers and
retailers to provide recycling services.
Responsibility and Role of industries
1. Generators of wastes should take responsibility to determine the output
characteristics of wastes and if hazardous, should provide management
options.
2. All personnel involved in handling e-waste in industries including those at
the policy, management, control and operational levels, should be properly
qualified and trained. Companies can adopt their own policies while handling
e-wastes. Some are given below:
3. Companies can and should adopt waste minimization techniques, which will
make a significant reduction in the quantity of e-waste generated and thereby
lessening the impact on the environment. It is a "reverse production" system
that designs infrastructure to recover and reuse every material contained
within e-wastes metals such as lead, copper, aluminum and gold, and various
plastics, glass and wire. Such a "closed loop" manufacturing and recovery
system offers a win-win situation for everyone, less of the Earth will be mined
for raw materials, and groundwater will be protected, researchers explain.
4. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers should undertake the
responsibility of recycling/disposal of their own products.
5. Manufacturers of computer monitors, television sets and other electronic
devices containing hazardous materials must be responsible for educating
consumers and the general public regarding the potential threat to public
health and the environment posed by their products. At minimum, all
computer monitors, television sets and other electronic devices containing
hazardous materials must be clearly labeled to identify environmental hazards
and proper materials management.
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E-Waste Legislation
BASEL CONVENTION
The fundamental aims of the Basel Convention are the control and reduction of
transboundary movements of hazardous and other wastes including the prevention
and minimization of their generation, the environmentally sound management of
such wastes and the active promotion of the transfer and use of technologies.
A Draft Strategic Plan has been proposed for the implementation of the Basel
Convention. The Draft Strategic Plan takes into account existing regional plans,
programmes or strategies, the decisions of the Conference of the Parties and its
subsidiary bodies, ongoing project activities and process of international
environmental governance and sustainable development. The Draft requires action
at all levels of society: training, information, communication, methodological tools,
capacity building with financial support, transfer of know-how, knowledge and
sound, proven cleaner technologies and processes to assist in the concrete
implementation of the Basel Declaration. It also calls for the effective involvement
and coordination by all concerned stakeholders as essential for achieving the aims
of the Basel Declaration within the approach of common but differentiated
responsibility.
Table I: Effects of E-Waste constituent on health
Source of eConstituent
wastes
Solder in printed
circuit boards,
glass panels and
Lead (PB)
gaskets in
computer
monitors
Chip resistors
and
semiconductors
Cadmium
(CD)
Health effects
Relays and
switches, printed Mercury (Hg)
circuit boards
Corrosion
protection of
untreated and
Hexavalent
galvanized steel chromium
plates, decorator (Cr) VI
or hardner for
steel housings
Teratogenic.
Chronic damage to the brain.
Asthmatic bronchitis.
DNA damage.
Plastics
including PVC
Barium (Ba)
Beryllium
(Be)
Muscle weakness;
A set. of interrelated and mutually supportive strategies are proposed to support the
concrete implementation of the activities as indicated in the website
(www.basel.int/DraftstrateKJcpian4Seot.pdf) is described below:
1. To involve experts in designing communication tools for creating awareness at
the highest level to promote the aims of the Basel Declaration on
environmentally sound management and the ratification and implementation
of the Basel Convention, its amendments and protocol with the emphasis on
the short-term activities.
2. To engage and stimulate a group of interested parties to assist the secretariat
in exploring fund raising strategies including the preparation of projects and in
making full use of expertise in non-governmental organizations and other
institutions in joint projects.
3. To motivate selective partners among various stakeholders to bring added
value to making progress in the short-term.
4. To disseminate and make information easily accessible through the internet
and other electronic and printed materials on the transfer of know-how, in
particular through Basel Convention Regional Centers (BCRCs).
5. To undertake periodic review of activities in relation to the agreed indicators;
6. To collaborate with existing institutions and programmes to promote better
use of cleaner technology and its transfer, methodology, economic
instruments or policy to facilitate or support capacity-building for the
environmentally sound management of hazardous and other wastes.
The Basel Convention brought about a respite to the transboundary movement of
hazardous waste. India and other countries have ratified the convention. However
United States (US) is not a party to the ban and is responsible for disposing
hazardous waste, such as, e-waste to Asian countries even today. Developed
countries such as US should enforce stricter legislations in their own country for the
prevention of this horrifying act.
In the European Union where the annual quantity of electronic waste is likely to
double in the next 12 years, the European Parliament recently passed legislation
that will require manufacturers to take back their electronic products when
consumers discard them. This is called Extended Producer Responsibility. It also
mandates a timetable for phasing out most toxic substances in electronic products.
Subsequently the E-Waste Agency (EWA) was founded in 2005, a think tank to
devise strategies for an improved e-waste management in Bangalore. At the same
time formal as well as informal e-waste recyclers were supported with training to
gain an authorized status, thus be allowed to recycle e-waste.
Presently large consumers and producers such as IT companies have started to work
on a code of conduct regarding e-waste management, which will be used to operate
a Clean eWaste Channel in the Electronics City.
To know more about the latest developments on WEEE in Bangalore, go
to Bangalore Workgroup Homepage on WEEE Workweb India.
Mumbai
Mumbai, the financial nerve-centre of India, is also India's largest port city. The
Mumbai -Pune industrial belt is also one of the manufacturing hubs of the country.
As a result, Mumbai is not only the port of import for new and used electronics, it is
also home to a large user and manufacturer base, both generating large volumes of
e-waste.
To know more about the latest developments on WEEE in Mumbai go to Mumbai
Workgroup Homepage on WEEE Workweb India.